(WDBJ) – More people in our hometowns will soon be allowed to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Starting Monday, a handful of health districts will begin vaccinations in phase 1B. This group includes essential workers, such as teachers, grocery store workers and others, and people aged 75 and over.
Health districts such as New River and Roanoke & Alleghany Health Districts will move to Phase 1B in just a few days. If you want to get vaccinated, you need to pre-register and schedule in advance.
“This is really the potential turning point in this terrible pandemic. . . It’s so interesting to know that we finally have a tool that can make a difference, “said Cynthia Morrow, Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District Health Director.
On Monday, COVID-19 vaccines will be given to many NRV and Roanoke and Alleghany health districts.
“There are literally hundreds of thousands of people in category 1B in Virginia. It will take us time to go through Phase 1B, it will take us weeks, if not a month, so we really need people to understand that we need patience, we need flexibility, ”said Morrow.
For key workers included in phase 1B of the vaccine launch plan, the next question is how to get the vaccine. Health officials say you can get the vaccine through your workplace or residential clinic. But for this to happen, you need to register in advance and make an appointment at your clinics.
If you identify as Phase 1B and work in a smaller or independent business, are 75 years of age or older, or are not affiliated with a job or residential clinic, you can register in advance through the websites of health district.
“It’s essential that people pre-register, again, all clinics are closed clinics, which means they’re not available for walk-ins,” Morrow said.
Once you register in advance, the Virginia Department of Health will contact you to make an appointment with a local health department, pharmacy or healthcare provider.
In Phase 1B, there are priorities, and law enforcement and first responders are at the top of the list. Health officials say pre-registration does not guarantee that you will get an appointment, because it is our responsibility to try to make sure we distribute the vaccine in accordance with priority strategies, Morrow said.
Another 11 health districts in Virginia, including Mount Rogers Health District, will also begin plans to launch Phase 1B next week.
Health officials say that if you are in phase 1C or the general public, you should not register in advance. Phase 1C will include other key workers and people aged 65-74. It also includes people with a high-risk condition or disability.
You can consult the VDH website for more information about the vaccination phase you are included in and when you can get the vaccine.
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